Langevin Calls for Resignation of OPM Director Katherine Archuleta
Press Release
Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security and its Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies, released the following statement calling for the resignation of Katherine Archuleta, Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM):
"Since 2007, the OPM Inspector General has continuously pointed out serious deficiencies in OPM's cybersecurity posture. OPM's response has been glacial. In fact, it was not until after a separate security breach last year that OPM began requesting additional resources to dramatically improve its cybersecurity posture. This is simply unacceptable. We cannot wait to invest in important information security measures until after our systems have been compromised.
"While I appreciate that Ms. Archuleta inherited a difficult situation, her first budget request continued to reflect the status quo even as the OIG's warnings continued. In testimony yesterday before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, she refused to acknowledge the errors OPM has made or to apologize to the millions of affected Americans. I am fully aware that cybersecurity is a problem that cannot be solved, but merely managed. However, we must not allow leaders in government or the private sector to use this as an excuse for operating without a risk-based cyber strategy. I have seen no evidence Ms. Archuleta understands this central principle of cyber governance, and I am deeply concerned by her refusal to acknowledge her culpability in the breach. I therefore believe that Ms. Archuleta should tender her resignation immediately. I would hope that other agency directors are paying close attention to this incident and taking the opportunity to quickly and thoroughly reexamine their own cyber risks."
Langevin, who attended Tuesday's classified briefing on the hack, is also the co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, and a national leader on cybersecurity issues.
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